 Logo used since 2025 | |
| Formerly | IFC Films (2000–2025) |
|---|---|
| Company type | Subsidiary |
| Industry | Motion pictures |
| Predecessor | Next Wave Films Agenda 2000 |
| Founded | September 26, 2000 |
| Headquarters | , United States |
Key people | Jonathan Sehring (president, 2007)[1] |
| Parent | IFC Entertainment Group |
| Divisions | IFC Productions IFC First Take IFC Midnight Sundance Selects Shudder |
| Website | independentfilmco |
Independent Film Company (IFC) is an American film production and distribution company owned by AMC Networks and based in New York. It was formed as an offshoot of AMC's TV network, IFC (then known as the Independent Film Channel), and was originally named IFC Films.
It mainly distributes independent features under its own name, select foreign films and documentaries under its Sundance Selects label, and co-distributes genre films with Shudder. It operates the IFC Center.
History
The Independent Film Channel, or IFC for short, first ventured into motion pictures in 1997 with their film distribution label, Next Wave Films.[2] The label was shut down in 2002 and folded into IFC themselves.[3] IFC also launched a film company, IFC Productions, which set up operation in March 1997 to produce their own feature film projects.[4] On January 18, 1999, IFC launched a film label Agenda 2000, which set up their own film projects, which have their world premiere on IFC.[5]
On September 26, 2000, IFC launched its own feature film unit, branded IFC Films, to be headed by Bob Berney, who went on to have jobs at Newmarket Films, and later founder of Picturehouse.[6]
IFC has several ventures in video on demand (VOD), available through cable television pay-per-view, Apple iTunes, and formerly Blockbuster's Movielink.[1] In 2002, IFC Films struck a deal with MGM Home Entertainment to release its theatrical films to home video, until they along with IFC's original TV shows moved to Genius Products in 2006 as part of a deal signed by Rainbow Media.[7]
In 2006, IFC launched IFC First Take, combining a limited theatrical release with video on demand being available the same day. The films included would be shown at IFC owned IFC Center, as well as other theaters; Landmark Theatres were the first outside theaters announced.[8] That same year, In 2006, IFC Films began distributing some films to Apple iTunes. The first batch were thirteen films with nominations in the Film Independent Spirit Awards.[9] In a March 2008 panel discussion, IFC Film's Arianna Bocco stated that all its films would be released through First Take.[10][unreliable source?] That same year, IFC launched IFC Festival Direct, a platform for video on demand distribution, for films without a slated theatrical release in the United States.[11] In 2010, it was announced that IFC Films would be launching a division titled IFC Midnight, the division would focus on releasing horror, sci-fi, thrillers, erotic arthouse, and action.[12]
In 2009, IFC signed home video deals with MPI Media Group and the Criterion Collection.[13][14]
By 2014, the IFC network would have a major facelift, shifting its programming from independent films to comedy programs,[15][16][17] as well as phasing out the full "Independent Film Channel" name entirely.[18] Still, IFC Films kept its focus towards independent films.
In February 2015, Shout! Factory's Scream Factory made a deal with IFC Films to release their titles on their IFC Midnight label. This included the Blu-ray and DVD releases of The Babadook and Backcountry, among others.[19]
On May 27, 2015, IFC Films struck another home video distribution deal with Paramount Home Media Distribution.[20]
On July 30, 2018, AMC Networks reached a definitive agreement to acquire RLJ Entertainment where AMC would pay $59 million for the remaining RLJE shares not owned by AMC or Robert L. Johnson.[21] The transaction was approved by RLJ Entertainment's stockholders on October 31, and AMC Networks completed the acquisition on November 1.[22] RLJ Entertainment became a privately owned subsidiary of AMC Networks, with Johnson and his affiliates owning a 17% stake. RLJ Entertainment, as IFC Films' sister company, took over home video distribution of their titles in December 2021.
On May 6, 2025, IFC Films announced that it would rebrand their name to Independent Film Company, a name that holds the IFC backronym, with its parent group renamed from AMC Networks Entertainment Group to IFC Entertainment Group.[23] Independent Film Company unveiled a new logo, alongside an on-screen logo animation featuring music composed by Adam "Ad-Rock" Horovitz of Beastie Boys.[24]
Film library
See also
References
- ^ a b Sehring, Jonathan (December 2, 2007). "First Person: IFC's Jonathan Sehring on Dramatic Change in the Specialty Film Business". indieWIRE. Brooklyn, New York. Archived from the original on March 13, 2008. Retrieved March 23, 2008.
- ^ Dempsey, John (March 6, 1997). "IFC makes Next Wave to aid with final print coin". Variety. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
- ^ "DAILY NEWS: IFC Shuts Next Wave; Goldwyn Grabs Controversial Mexican Hit; IFP Sets Doc Line-Up". IndieWire. August 22, 2002. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
- ^ Dempsey, John (November 11, 1997). "Bravo ups Sehring as net moves into prod'n". Variety. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
- ^ Roman, Monica (January 19, 1999). "Wave sets digital vid prod'n arm". Variety. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
- ^ Harris, Dana (September 26, 2000). "IFC channels films". Variety. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
- ^ Pesselnick, Jill (June 8, 2002). "MGM/IFC Pact". Picture This. Billboard. Vol. 114, no. 23. p. 64. Retrieved December 9, 2016 – via Google Books.
- ^ Hernandez, Eugene (January 23, 2006). "Park City '06 Biz Daily". Indiewire. Archived from the original on February 19, 2008. Retrieved March 23, 2008.
- ^ Marsal, Katie (February 22, 2007). "IFC helps grow Apple's iTunes film catalog". Apple Insider. Retrieved March 23, 2008.
- ^ "IFP — Alternative Models of Distribution". The Film Panel Notetaker (Blog). March 14, 2008. Archived from the original on March 20, 2008. Retrieved March 23, 2008.
- ^ Hayes, Dade (January 14, 2008). "IFC adds VOD label". Variety. Archived from the original on January 16, 2008. Retrieved March 23, 2008.
- ^ Fischer, Russ (May 11, 2010). "IFC Launches New Genre Label, IFC Midnight". Slashfilm.com. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
- ^ "IFC films find DVD home at MPI | Hollywood Reporter". Hollywood Reporter. June 2, 2009. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
- ^ Kay, Jeremy (September 1, 2009). "IFC Films teams up with Criterion Collection for prestige DVD series". Screen. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
- ^ Fowler, Matt (March 23, 2010). "Arrested Development Stars Coming To IFC". IGN. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
- ^ Guthriepublished, Marisa (March 29, 2010). "Rebrand 'Mad'-Ness Rampant at Rainbow Media". Broadcasting+Cable. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
- ^ Oregonian/OregonLive, Kristi Turnquist | The (November 9, 2010). "IFC cable channel's new shows include 'Whisker Wars'". oregonlive. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
- ^ "TCA: IFC Officially Changes Name To IFC". Deadline.com. Archived from the original on January 16, 2014. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
- ^ Hanley, Ken W. (February 16, 2015). "EXCLUSIVE: Scream Factory, IFC Midnight Partner for Exclusive Home Media Deal". Fangoria. Archived from the original on February 16, 2015. Retrieved October 1, 2012.
- ^ Kit, Borys (May 27, 2015). "Paramount Home Media, IFC Films Strike Distribution Deal (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
- ^ "AMC Networks Inc. To Acquire RLJ Entertainment, Inc". AMC Networks. July 30, 2018. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
- ^ "AMC Networks Inc. Completes Acquisition Of RLJ Entertainment, Inc". AMC Networks. November 1, 2018. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
- ^ Goldsmith, Jill; D'Alessandro, Anthony (May 6, 2025). "IFC Films Rebrands Under New IFC Entertainment Group". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
- ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
